Everton hold United to 1-1 draw at Old Trafford

Manchester United, eliminated from European competition in midweek, endured Premier League frustration yesterday when they were held to a 1-1 home draw by Everton.

United, knocked out of the Champions League following a 2-1 defeat by Benfica on Wednesday, fell behind to an early goal by James McFadden but earned a point thanks to an equaliser from Ryan Giggs.

The Old Trafford club remain third in the table with 31 points from 15 matches.

Liverpool, also on 31 points, are second on goal difference with runaway leaders Chelsea on 43 points having played a game more than their two closest rivals.

Everton, who have collected 17 points from 15 matches, climbed two places to 15th.

United looked unusually nervous in the opening period and Everton wasted a good chance after three minutes when keeper Edwin van der Sar scuffed his clearance straight to striker James Beattie but his shot was blocked by Mikael Silvestre.

The visitors were ahead four minutes later when McFadden fired a left foot shot past Van der Sar at the near post after good work by Kevin Kilbane and Leon Osman.

United fashioned an equaliser after 16 minutes when Giggs guided the ball past Richard Wright with the outside of his left foot from near the penalty spot after a delightful pass over the defence by Paul Scholes.

With the Old Trafford crowd getting behind their team, United created further chances for Rooney, who headed Giggs's fine cross straight at Wright, and the Welsh winger himself whose low shot was turned around the post by the keeper.

United's dominance continued after the break with Scholes's fierce shot beaten away by Wright.

Everton were pinned back in their own half but twice launched dangerous counter attacks, McFadden forcing a flying save from Van der Sar and Kilbane wasting a good chance by firing high and wide.

Giggs almost snatched an injury-time winner when he curled a left-footed free-kick over the defensive wall and Wright pulled off a diving save.

Premier League fixtures

Wednesday: Premier League 9 p.m. Everton vs West Ham United; Manchester United vs Wigan.

Saturday: Premier League 1.45 p.m. Aston Villa vs Manchester United. 4 p.m. Everton vs Bolton; Fulham vs Blackburn; Portsmouth vs West Brom; West Ham vs Newcastle; Wigan vs Charlton. 6.15 p.m. Man. City vs Birmingham.

Sunday: Premier League 2.30 p.m. Middlesbrough Tottenham. 5 p.m. Arsenal vs Chelsea.